Bradford Live last remaining bidder for Odeon restoration

ONLY one group is now in the running to restore the former Odeon building in Bradford city centre, it was revealed tonight.

The landmark building is likely to be transformed into a major music venue after it was announced last night that Bradford Live had made it through to the final stage of a bidding process – its plan would create a regional music venue with a 4,000 capacity.

It signals an end to years of uncertainty over the future of the building, which has been disused since 2000 and was once threatened with demolition. Bradford Live has to demonstrate to Bradford Council what the total costs would be and how it can get the funding.

Most of the Odeon’s trade will be as an evening venue, which is in contrast to the unsuccessful alternative bid from Bradford One that had aimed to open up the building to daytime trade.

After Yorkshire Forward was wound up, the building was sold to the local authority.

Tonight Council leader David Green said: “Since acquiring the former Odeon building from the Homes and Communities Agency, we have been keen to consider commercially viable redevelopment proposals which would retain as much of the character of the building as is possible.

“We initially received three proposals from interested parties but only two of those bids went through to the next stage.

“We are now able to announce today that after a thorough assessment of both bids by the Council and independent assessors, just one is progressing to the third stage.”

A final decision will be made at the Council’s Executive meeting in November.

Cllr Green added: “We would like to thank the team behind the Bradford One submission for the time, effort and enthusiasm they have put into presenting their bid.

“Unfortunately, their submission has not achieved the minimum requirements needed to progress to the next stage.

“We remain hopeful that the former Odeon building has a viable future in Bradford’s city centre.”

Bradford One spokesman Gideon Seymour said the group was not making an immediate statement on the decision. The secretary of the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group Mark Nicholson, which has campaigned to save the building, said Bradford Live was the group’s favoured bidder.

“In our opinion, it is the best bid and reflects what people have been telling us,” he added.

A Bradford Live spokesman said: “We are delighted to have been selected as the preferred bidder for the transformation of the former Odeon building. Our team look forward to working closely with the Council to hopefully ensure that a large-scale live music venue is brought into the heart of Bradford.”

Comments (18)

Great news, so glad that Bradford Live has the chance to create a world class concert venue in Bradford. Hopefully come November this scheme will get the green light and the sad looking building that is the Odeon at the minute will be transformed over the following months into something Bradford has needed for years, a venue that has the capacity to attract quality bands and solo artists. Great job by Lee Craven and his Bradford Live team!!

I'd also like to say commiserations to the Bradford One team who also had a fantastic scheme for the Odeon Building.

Great news, so glad that Bradford Live has the chance to create a world class concert venue in Bradford. Hopefully come November this scheme will get the green light and the sad looking building that is the Odeon at the minute will be transformed over the following months into something Bradford has needed for years, a venue that has the capacity to attract quality bands and solo artists. Great job by Lee Craven and his Bradford Live team!!
I'd also like to say commiserations to the Bradford One team who also had a fantastic scheme for the Odeon Building.bcfc1903

about time too. we have no good live music venue like leeds so this should be good news. Ok we do have a couple but nothing like the Odeon capacity. roll on real live bands etc coming to Bradford instead or with Leeds. Hurrah

about time too. we have no good live music venue like leeds so this should be good news. Ok we do have a couple but nothing like the Odeon capacity. roll on real live bands etc coming to Bradford instead or with Leeds. Hurrahpokertee

bcfc1903 wrote:
Great news, so glad that Bradford Live has the chance to create a world class concert venue in Bradford. Hopefully come November this scheme will get the green light and the sad looking building that is the Odeon at the minute will be transformed over the following months into something Bradford has needed for years, a venue that has the capacity to attract quality bands and solo artists. Great job by Lee Craven and his Bradford Live team!!

I'd also like to say commiserations to the Bradford One team who also had a fantastic scheme for the Odeon Building.

Yes it has to be decided in November so they don't have the go ahead yet.
So let me know what bands you and the others are on about and we'll see if they are signed with Live Nation/Clear Channel at the moment.
Give me six bands and we'll see.

So Greeny 1903, where are they going to park all the cars? Lets say four to a car come, thats a thousand cars and we know many will be two to a car.
On radio Leeds the question was put to Green and ge said " we will look into it"
He doesn't know.

[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
Great news, so glad that Bradford Live has the chance to create a world class concert venue in Bradford. Hopefully come November this scheme will get the green light and the sad looking building that is the Odeon at the minute will be transformed over the following months into something Bradford has needed for years, a venue that has the capacity to attract quality bands and solo artists. Great job by Lee Craven and his Bradford Live team!!
I'd also like to say commiserations to the Bradford One team who also had a fantastic scheme for the Odeon Building.[/p][/quote]Yes it has to be decided in November so they don't have the go ahead yet.
So let me know what bands you and the others are on about and we'll see if they are signed with Live Nation/Clear Channel at the moment.
Give me six bands and we'll see.
So Greeny 1903, where are they going to park all the cars? Lets say four to a car come, thats a thousand cars and we know many will be two to a car.
On radio Leeds the question was put to Green and ge said " we will look into it"
He doesn't know.Papa Smurfs Wig

bcfc1903 wrote:
Great news, so glad that Bradford Live has the chance to create a world class concert venue in Bradford. Hopefully come November this scheme will get the green light and the sad looking building that is the Odeon at the minute will be transformed over the following months into something Bradford has needed for years, a venue that has the capacity to attract quality bands and solo artists. Great job by Lee Craven and his Bradford Live team!!

I'd also like to say commiserations to the Bradford One team who also had a fantastic scheme for the Odeon Building.

Yes it has to be decided in November so they don't have the go ahead yet.
So let me know what bands you and the others are on about and we'll see if they are signed with Live Nation/Clear Channel at the moment.
Give me six bands and we'll see.

So Greeny 1903, where are they going to park all the cars? Lets say four to a car come, thats a thousand cars and we know many will be two to a car.
On radio Leeds the question was put to Green and ge said &quot; we will look into it"
He doesn't know.

Temporary car parks tend to spring up around concert venues because they make money.

[quote][p][bold]Papa Smurfs Wig[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
Great news, so glad that Bradford Live has the chance to create a world class concert venue in Bradford. Hopefully come November this scheme will get the green light and the sad looking building that is the Odeon at the minute will be transformed over the following months into something Bradford has needed for years, a venue that has the capacity to attract quality bands and solo artists. Great job by Lee Craven and his Bradford Live team!!
I'd also like to say commiserations to the Bradford One team who also had a fantastic scheme for the Odeon Building.[/p][/quote]Yes it has to be decided in November so they don't have the go ahead yet.
So let me know what bands you and the others are on about and we'll see if they are signed with Live Nation/Clear Channel at the moment.
Give me six bands and we'll see.
So Greeny 1903, where are they going to park all the cars? Lets say four to a car come, thats a thousand cars and we know many will be two to a car.
On radio Leeds the question was put to Green and ge said " we will look into it"
He doesn't know.[/p][/quote]Temporary car parks tend to spring up around concert venues because they make money.basil fawlty

In Sheffield last week for the fantastic Tramlines weekend spread over dozens of venues, and reflecting that it is so sad that my home city has nothing to offer at all in comparison....hopefu
lly Bradford Live is a step in the right direction

In Sheffield last week for the fantastic Tramlines weekend spread over dozens of venues, and reflecting that it is so sad that my home city has nothing to offer at all in comparison....hopefu
lly Bradford Live is a step in the right directionBigFigure

I cannot for the life of me understand why people are worrying about parking space for a 4000 capacity evening centric venue. Where do you think the people who work in the City Centre park during the daytime? And it isn't as if every single one of those 4000 is going to be driving to the gig. Hell if it comes down to it I'm sure the owners of Forster Square retail park would love to sign a contract for nightime use of their 1300 parking spaces.

I cannot for the life of me understand why people are worrying about parking space for a 4000 capacity evening centric venue. Where do you think the people who work in the City Centre park during the daytime? And it isn't as if every single one of those 4000 is going to be driving to the gig. Hell if it comes down to it I'm sure the owners of Forster Square retail park would love to sign a contract for nightime use of their 1300 parking spaces.MrQuinque

Raj2121 wrote:
Knock the old useless place down, and build some ofifices there.

Raj2121 you are ignorant beyond belief. Obviously young and immature and have no conception of the importance of this building to Bradfordians. Clearly the building is not going to be demolished.

[quote][p][bold]Raj2121[/bold] wrote:
Knock the old useless place down, and build some ofifices there.[/p][/quote]Raj2121 you are ignorant beyond belief. Obviously young and immature and have no conception of the importance of this building to Bradfordians. Clearly the building is not going to be demolished.Idlesteve

MrQuinque wrote:
I cannot for the life of me understand why people are worrying about parking space for a 4000 capacity evening centric venue. Where do you think the people who work in the City Centre park during the daytime? And it isn't as if every single one of those 4000 is going to be driving to the gig. Hell if it comes down to it I'm sure the owners of Forster Square retail park would love to sign a contract for nightime use of their 1300 parking spaces.

You really can't see why people should worry? Ha ha this gets even more funny. I bet Thornton Road would look pretty smart all parked up as would several more roads.
Forster Square? That would be a good place to lose the wheels.
2000 extra cars might be in the centre.
Temporary car parking, where?

[quote][p][bold]MrQuinque[/bold] wrote:
I cannot for the life of me understand why people are worrying about parking space for a 4000 capacity evening centric venue. Where do you think the people who work in the City Centre park during the daytime? And it isn't as if every single one of those 4000 is going to be driving to the gig. Hell if it comes down to it I'm sure the owners of Forster Square retail park would love to sign a contract for nightime use of their 1300 parking spaces.[/p][/quote]You really can't see why people should worry? Ha ha this gets even more funny. I bet Thornton Road would look pretty smart all parked up as would several more roads.
Forster Square? That would be a good place to lose the wheels.
2000 extra cars might be in the centre.
Temporary car parking, where?Papa Smurfs Wig

Raj2121 wrote:
Knock the old useless place down, and build some ofifices there.

Raj2121 you are ignorant beyond belief. Obviously young and immature and have no conception of the importance of this building to Bradfordians. Clearly the building is not going to be demolished.

It is good to read that at least one of the bidders as passed this stage if both had failed then down the Odeon would have come.
I do hope Bradford Live will pass the next stage and bring the building back to life.
If they fail the next stage that's it for the building.
Please lets get behind Bradford Live now, a battle won but not the war.

[quote][p][bold]Idlesteve[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Raj2121[/bold] wrote:
Knock the old useless place down, and build some ofifices there.[/p][/quote]Raj2121 you are ignorant beyond belief. Obviously young and immature and have no conception of the importance of this building to Bradfordians. Clearly the building is not going to be demolished.[/p][/quote]It is good to read that at least one of the bidders as passed this stage if both had failed then down the Odeon would have come.
I do hope Bradford Live will pass the next stage and bring the building back to life.
If they fail the next stage that's it for the building.
Please lets get behind Bradford Live now, a battle won but not the war.Joedavid

bcfc1903 wrote:
Great news, so glad that Bradford Live has the chance to create a world class concert venue in Bradford. Hopefully come November this scheme will get the green light and the sad looking building that is the Odeon at the minute will be transformed over the following months into something Bradford has needed for years, a venue that has the capacity to attract quality bands and solo artists. Great job by Lee Craven and his Bradford Live team!!

I'd also like to say commiserations to the Bradford One team who also had a fantastic scheme for the Odeon Building.

Yes it has to be decided in November so they don't have the go ahead yet.
So let me know what bands you and the others are on about and we'll see if they are signed with Live Nation/Clear Channel at the moment.
Give me six bands and we'll see.

So Greeny 1903, where are they going to park all the cars? Lets say four to a car come, thats a thousand cars and we know many will be two to a car.
On radio Leeds the question was put to Green and ge said &quot; we will look into it"
He doesn't know.

My choice Mr Smurf's Wig :-)...

Warren Haynes, Gov't Mule, First Aid Kit, Joe Bonamassa, Paul Rodgers, Lissie and Jessie J. One for the future, when folk wake up to this incredible talent, Chantel McGregor!!!! Not everyone will come in cars but I'm quite sure Bradford would cope very well with those that do attend using their own transport.

[quote][p][bold]Papa Smurfs Wig[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
Great news, so glad that Bradford Live has the chance to create a world class concert venue in Bradford. Hopefully come November this scheme will get the green light and the sad looking building that is the Odeon at the minute will be transformed over the following months into something Bradford has needed for years, a venue that has the capacity to attract quality bands and solo artists. Great job by Lee Craven and his Bradford Live team!!
I'd also like to say commiserations to the Bradford One team who also had a fantastic scheme for the Odeon Building.[/p][/quote]Yes it has to be decided in November so they don't have the go ahead yet.
So let me know what bands you and the others are on about and we'll see if they are signed with Live Nation/Clear Channel at the moment.
Give me six bands and we'll see.
So Greeny 1903, where are they going to park all the cars? Lets say four to a car come, thats a thousand cars and we know many will be two to a car.
On radio Leeds the question was put to Green and ge said " we will look into it"
He doesn't know.[/p][/quote]My choice Mr Smurf's Wig :-)...
Warren Haynes, Gov't Mule, First Aid Kit, Joe Bonamassa, Paul Rodgers, Lissie and Jessie J. One for the future, when folk wake up to this incredible talent, Chantel McGregor!!!! Not everyone will come in cars but I'm quite sure Bradford would cope very well with those that do attend using their own transport.bcfc1903

bcfc1903 wrote:
Great news, so glad that Bradford Live has the chance to create a world class concert venue in Bradford. Hopefully come November this scheme will get the green light and the sad looking building that is the Odeon at the minute will be transformed over the following months into something Bradford has needed for years, a venue that has the capacity to attract quality bands and solo artists. Great job by Lee Craven and his Bradford Live team!!

I'd also like to say commiserations to the Bradford One team who also had a fantastic scheme for the Odeon Building.

Yes it has to be decided in November so they don't have the go ahead yet.
So let me know what bands you and the others are on about and we'll see if they are signed with Live Nation/Clear Channel at the moment.
Give me six bands and we'll see.

So Greeny 1903, where are they going to park all the cars? Lets say four to a car come, thats a thousand cars and we know many will be two to a car.
On radio Leeds the question was put to Green and ge said &quot; we will look into it"
He doesn't know.

Must be a very, very large number of car parking spaces within quarter of a mile of the Odeon.
The events will in the main be evening when shoppers and city center workers gone home, surprise Dave Green not know that.

[quote][p][bold]Papa Smurfs Wig[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]bcfc1903[/bold] wrote:
Great news, so glad that Bradford Live has the chance to create a world class concert venue in Bradford. Hopefully come November this scheme will get the green light and the sad looking building that is the Odeon at the minute will be transformed over the following months into something Bradford has needed for years, a venue that has the capacity to attract quality bands and solo artists. Great job by Lee Craven and his Bradford Live team!!
I'd also like to say commiserations to the Bradford One team who also had a fantastic scheme for the Odeon Building.[/p][/quote]Yes it has to be decided in November so they don't have the go ahead yet.
So let me know what bands you and the others are on about and we'll see if they are signed with Live Nation/Clear Channel at the moment.
Give me six bands and we'll see.
So Greeny 1903, where are they going to park all the cars? Lets say four to a car come, thats a thousand cars and we know many will be two to a car.
On radio Leeds the question was put to Green and ge said " we will look into it"
He doesn't know.[/p][/quote]Must be a very, very large number of car parking spaces within quarter of a mile of the Odeon.
The events will in the main be evening when shoppers and city center workers gone home, surprise Dave Green not know that.Joedavid

Reading these posts really makes me realise how many of the commentators do not go to gigs! A lot of people drive, as they want to have a drink, and a lot of people also stay overnight. This will bring a boost in sales to Bradford businesses. Whilst car parking is available on Thornton Road, Hall Ings and Joseph's Well, more could be created amongst the many redundant sites along Thornton Road. It's about time some of these people started thinking positively about a Bradford born developer who has put his own money into a scheme to benefit the people of the region, if not the North of England. Well done Lee on taking a chance, you've got the majority of Bradford behind you, leave the wingers to leave comments on this site on anything remotely positive for the city - we don't need them!

Reading these posts really makes me realise how many of the commentators do not go to gigs! A lot of people drive, as they want to have a drink, and a lot of people also stay overnight. This will bring a boost in sales to Bradford businesses. Whilst car parking is available on Thornton Road, Hall Ings and Joseph's Well, more could be created amongst the many redundant sites along Thornton Road. It's about time some of these people started thinking positively about a Bradford born developer who has put his own money into a scheme to benefit the people of the region, if not the North of England. Well done Lee on taking a chance, you've got the majority of Bradford behind you, leave the wingers to leave comments on this site on anything remotely positive for the city - we don't need them!mattshaw